MAHALIA FREIER

I have always been passionate about storytelling through visual media, especially those that allow the people partaking in them to have an impact on narratives. Giving people this ability to be a part of other worlds and lives as more than a spectator is something that I have adored doing since I was a child. Games of imagination evolved into theater, visual arts, game mastering RPGs, and eventually the creation of my own worlds and lore for others to explore. With time and practice, I realized how healing all these forms of interactive media could be to its participants. They allow self-expression and releases of imagination that are a healthy part of human existence.

 

As an artist, I feel my desired cultural impact is to provide these opportunities of self-discovery and emotional radiation to others. Due to this, I strive to create art that is enjoyable for a wide audience, but is especially accessible to young people, without talking down to them. However, young people are not the only ones who often find themselves drowning in the mindset that they have no control over their lives. We never stop rediscovering ourselves, and we never reach a point where we will not have emotions that are hard to process.

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I believe, when properly used, storytelling art that focuses on solving conflict through the healthy expressions of human emotions instead of physical fighting can allow us to slow down and listen to our own feelings. In our world where everything seems to be on fast-forward, appreciating these moments of respite could help future generations to better connect, emotionally as well as socially, with themselves and others.